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Media Release:

As the 60th annual Hawai`i County Fair opens in Hilo this weekend, island residents are encouraged to visit the Kamehameha Schools booth located in the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium. On every day of the four-day fair, a variety of farmers and ranchers who lease agricultural lands from Kamehameha Schools will take center stage providing tasty Hawai`i-grown samplings and products for sale.
Featured participants include Hawaii Beef Producers from Pa`auilo. Best known for their grass-fed cattle grown antibiotic and hormone free, Hawaii Beef Producers will be serving samples of savory beef stew and fair goers will have the opportunity to buy fresh meat rancher direct.

Hawaiian Pineapple Company, one of Hawai`i’s few remaining pineapple producers, is best known for their premium field ripened pineapple and sweet apple banana. Most recently, however, they have been experimenting with cacao. Come indulge in their newest chocolate creations which will be featured at the Kamehameha Schools booth, along with their apple banana, on Friday evening.

Stop by the KS booth on Saturday to taste delicious treats from Kona Dragon Fruit Inc., farming dragon fruit and mango on 19 acres of KS lands in South Kona, and Hawaii Island Gourmet Products, known to many for their signature Atebara potato chips. This Hilo-based company is much loved for their taro, sweet potato and shrimp chips and their mouthwatering cookies.

“We like supporting Hawai`i Island diversified agriculture,” said Clyde Oshiro who, with son-in-law Nimr Tamimi, formed Hawaii Island Gourmet Products in 2002 after purchasing Atebara. “We’re growing taro and sweet potato of our own on a few acres leased from Kamehameha Schools on the Hilo coast.”

On Sunday, enjoy samples courtesy of The Kona Coffee and Tea Company, winner of the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival’s 2009 Gevalia Cupping Contest. This family owned and operated company will impress you with their specialty 100% Kona coffee. The Private Reserve and Malia Ohana roasts will also be available for sample and purchase.

Island-wide there are roughly 800 Kamehameha Schools agricultural tenants farming a variety of crops that help sustain local agriculture and support the educational mission.

As part of the land legacy endowed by Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop, Kamehameha Schools stewards about 180,000 acres of agricultural lands statewide. On Hawai`i Island alone, more than 72,000 acres of high-value agricultural lands support a reliable food source, local jobs and a sustainable future for all of Hawai`i, and serves the educational mission established through the legacy of Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop.

For more information on how to support local farmers or to view a list of Kamehameha Schools agricultural tenants with commercial businesses, visit www.ksbe.edu/land.